CarolinaLivin

Sam throwing to Giants Pettis https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/2021/07/14/panthers-sam-darnold-throws-with-giants-dante-pettis/ Cant get the twitter video to post in here, but this is the link to watch

Or... (Could be highly unlikely but) they beat out the starters based off talent. Maybe by they end of the season they get more comfortable at the next level and have given the coaches reason to believe they can start. Unlikely that all three probably do that and it is a wishful way of thinking. Just gotta look at all possible outcomes. Even if one is more likely than another. Edit: adding to what you said. hopefully, injuries doesn't hurt this group

Won't lie... When we drafted DJ Moore I almost put a hole in my TV. I definitely preferred Calvin Ridley. But glad I was wrong and glad to have another reason why I am not an NFL analyst.

So QB goes down we give up? Got it

LOOK FOR THE OVER ON THE CAROLINA PANTHERS SEASON WIN TOTAL https://www.sportsgrid.com/video/look-for-the-over-on-the-carolina-panthers-season-win-total/?jwsource=cl

I think what we did was the right move. We needed depth and multiple players to improve the roster and fill holes. I think the splash moves will come next year. May only be one or two, but may be all we need. We have several players that have all the tools needed to make a jump this year.

Personally, I like the moves we made. We may have not made the "splash" or "big" moves some may have wanted, but we still made good moves to lead us in the right direction. The Panthers FO are taking a very patient approach and I like it. This approach allows some of our gambles to not work and still not harm our rebuild. Mainly because of how our cap will look in the next couple of years. We have added depth and drafted star potential players. Some of the depth players may not work, but next year we can replace them with the dumpster truck of money we will have. I am excited, not just for this year but for the future of carolina. Right now (the jury is still out on this), I believe the panthers are in good hands with Matt Rhule and company.

The article actually discusses both the panthers and saints as we (obviously) play two times a year. First game at home (week 2) and last game of the season on the road (week 17). So let's jump into our off-season and how they believe we matchup against the saints. The link is below. Link: https://saintswire.usatoday.com/lists/saints-2021-schedule-panthers-sam-darnold-christian-mccaffrey/ Expectations for Carolina The Panthers added quarterback Sam Darnold via trade from the New York Jets at the beginning of the offseason (more on that in a minute). The shift from Teddy Bridgewater to Darnold has conveyed their desire for more upside in Darnold over a known floor in Bridgewater, which could play well with offensive coordinator Joe Brady’s ideas as a play caller. On top of adding Darnold, Carolina will see the return of its All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey from season-ending injuries. The expectation is that the offense should be explosive this season, but it’s all hypothetical until all the pieces actually come together. Carolina has the ability, in theory, to compete in a division that features three teams with a ton of question marks surrounding each of them. This first matchup against the new-look Saints will be an important test for both sides. Free Agency/Trades Carolina was quite active in free agency as they freed up cap space at the beginning of the offseason. However, the Panthers did not make a move for a “big” name and instead opted to sign a number of low-cost players that could pay out big this season. Most notable is former Saints tight end Dan Arnold, who had a good year with the Arizona Cardinals (totaling 31 receptions for 438 yards, with 4 touchdown catches). The Panthers also added linebacker Denzel Perryman, defensive end Haason Reddick, and wide receiver David Moore. The free agent additions helped shore up defensive shortcomings while also providing additional depth on the offense. Yet, the biggest acquisition came via trade and is one we already talked about: Sam Darnold. The Southern California product was highly touted when he entered the league, but was unable to find much success with the floundering Jets. He is a perfect “change of scenery” candidate, especially under Brady’s tutelage. If he can play to his full potential and become what he was expected to be when he was drafted with the third overall pick in 2018, then the rest of the NFC South may have some catching up to do. 2021 NFL draft First round, 8th overall: CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina Second round, 59th overall: WR Terrace Marshall Jr., LSU Third round, 70th overall: OT Brady Christensen, BYU The general consensus is that Carolina had a fantastic draft. They secured the best cornerback in the draft with Horn, added another weapon for Darnold in Marshall, and added much-needed offensive line depth in Christensen. After investing heavily in their defense through last year’s draft, the Panthers’ patient approach could pay off. Out of their entire draft class, they may have found three immediate starters. Carolina clearly drafted for need, but were shrewd in their ability to ascertain when to trade back and capitalized on the positions that were deep in the draft. Key Losses There were quite a few fringe and depth-type players that ended up seeing the end of their time with Carolina this offseason. The Panthers most notable losses were on the offensive side of the ball with receivers Curtis Samuel and Pharoh Cooper, plus backup running back Mike Davis, and a number of offensive linemen that made up the majority of their depth. However, Carolina addressed the holes through their key additions through either the draft, free agency or trade Matchup History (Panthers Vs. Saints) These two NFC South teams go way back. New Orleans and Carolina have met 53 times, including a playoff game (that the Saints won). The series is currently split 28-25 in the Saints’ favor. However, New Orleans was able to take both games last season to pull ahead in the overall series record. The Panthers are a notoriously pesky team to play for the Saints, as they almost always play up to their divisional rivals. This season should be no different. With Jameis Winston (likely) leading the charge for New Orleans and Darnold for the Panthers, both of these “new look” teams have a lot to answer for and even more to prove. With the first divisional matchup so early in the season, many of those questions will be answered while the season is still in its infancy. Buckle up.

Plus Rhule was never at a college with a recruitment program like that of an Alabama and/or Clemson. He did what he did with lesser talent. He didn't turn them into dynasties, he just built "winning cultures".

“Some things Luke taught me, I’d watch TV copies of other teams, pick up the verbiage they were saying, and he taught me so much of that; how to break down film by situations instead of just watching the whole game, like first down one day, third down another. Little things like that I learned from Luke, and I think it helped me a lot last year. . . he’s going to be a Hall of Famer; he’s one of the best to ever play, so I definitely took advantage of it.” https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/2021/06/28/panthers-jermaine-carter-shares-what-he-learned-from-luke-kuechly/

Like I said, baby steps. It is possible the unit could be above average, but expect about the same you saw last year from the OL which is mediocracy (outside of moton). I expect a few position groups to make a leap this year (CB, TE, DL), but 2022 I expect the team as a whole will take a leap. That may be bold, but rhule is a 3/4 year rebuild coach. That may be at the college level, but I think his system of revamping culture's will do us justice.

Yeah I mean... I think they took good steps (small baby steps) in the right direction for the OL. But next year is where we will likely see the real upgrades. Should have no issue with the kind of money we'll have. But things like... needing a new QB (hopefully we won't and Sam is our guy), strengthening the S position, and filling in for the "prove-it contract" guys that didn't prove-it (hopefully they show out)... could get in the way.

I think last year the line was mediocre by luck and this year's OL moves is/were meant to maintain that "middle of pack" position while upgrading on multiple other positions to "build the roster"

Yeah... Sam, Tua, and Daniel have the most room for improvement (on that list). But I think Sam making a leap that makes him look even a little bit like an actual franchise QB, and he won.

"Ian Thomas has another drop today. Defense just had a tipped pass and an interception soon before that." -Alaina Getzenberg via twitter

Honestly excited! the military has kept me away from NC, but this will be my first year (first time) going to a home game.

"Matt Rhule says RT Taylor Moton has been toying around on the left side and if he ever felt comfortable enough and wanted to switch they'd look at it, but no plans to move him right now" -Nick Carboni

Nothing on PJ today?

Haha now lets see what happens next in the huddle

And no this is not a post to hype up bringing in Ha Ha. Just a quick read to generate conversation and opinions

****COULD and IF Signed*** First reported by Pro Football Talk on Monday, the Panthers are bringing in Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to see what the player could potentially offer during their mandatory minicamp this week. The experienced safety didn’t play in 2020 after being released by the Chicago Bears, so it remains to be seen just how this lengthy absence away from the gridiron has impacted him from a talent standpoint. Clinton-Dix got a similar opportunity with the Houston Texans earlier this offseason without anything coming from it. It appears his chances of maintaining his status as an NFL player are hanging by a thread and this opportunity in Carolina might just be his last. The former No. 21 overall selection out of Alabama has started 90 of the 96 games he’s been active during his career, according to Pro Football Reference. Clinton-Dix never quite reached the heights expected and was often found wanting in coverage, but it’s not costing the Panthers anything to see what the veteran still has left in the tank. Chicago obviously saw enough to think Clinton-Dix wasn’t worth keeping around after his one season with the team in 2019, despite the player gaining a highly respectable 74.9 grade from Pro Football Focus as a result of his efforts. What could Ha Ha Clinton-Dix offer the Carolina Panthers? Matt Rhule has been more than willing to take chances on players like Clinton-Dix throughout his first year in Carolina. Individuals who are a little down on their luck with almost no other avenues they can go down to salvage their careers. This has been met with mixed success so far. But the Panthers are at least airing on the side of caution by not giving Clinton-Dix a short-term deal without seeing what he can do first. At least from the outside looking in, there might be an opening for Clinton-Dix to make the 53-man roster. Moving Jeremy Chinn to the backend is sure to help matters in the secondary judging by what we saw from the Southern Illinois product throughout a standout rookie campaign. But Juston Burris needs to raise his game considerably to be considered a viable option moving forward. Depth is also a concern unless someone like Sam Franklin or even Myles Hartsfield can make a leap forward. Adding a little more know-how to the rotation would be a wise move. If Clinton-Dix doesn’t work out, there are some other potential candidates also worth considering. What comes next will ultimately come down to what Clinton-Dix demonstrates at minicamp. It’s a high-pressure situation for the player, who experienced more than his fair share of big game moments with the Green Bay Packers. Fighting for your career is a completely different ball game. So it’ll be interesting to see how Clinton-Dix applies himself and integrates onto a roster that has a tremendous amount going for it next season. Link: https://catcrave.com/2021/06/15/ha-ha-clinton-dix-bring-carolina-panthers/